Boogie brigade tops 5,000! 

Many small steps have turned the annual Bridge City Boogie into a big success.

Four years after it began, organizers are elated with the growing number of people involved with the run.

A record-breaking 5,167 people ran, walked, rolled and shuffled around Saskatoon on Sunday, topping last year's participation by 752.

"It's so all-inclusive that it's really catching on with the whole community. It's not just a running event," said Miren Madariaga, race director.

Madariaga, along with a core team of 15 people on the organizing committee, has worked since September to plan the event. They're joined by more than 500 volunteers who help with the race itself, taking care of every detail from registration to race day cleanup.

Watching so many active people enjoying themselves may have motivated volunteer Joanne Wilde to try on some runners.

Wilde watched an elderly man cruising the course during Sunday's run and said she might start with a two-kilometre run next year.

"I'm getting too old to do the 10K. For the first year anyway," Wilde said.

Participants ran 2K, 5K or 10K courses during the event, which is designed to promote wellness for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

"You can be a walker or you can be an elite runner," Madariaga said.

The Boogie is a non-profit event and supports three local charities: Canwest Raise-a-Reader, the Saskatoon Crisis Nursery and the Boys and Girls Club of Saskatchewan, which Madariaga believes lends some incentive for people who want to participate. Last year more than $39,000 was given to the three charities. Organizers expect this year's event to exceed that total.

Madariaga says her favourite moment is when the start gun goes off.

"It's just that start line," she said. "To see all the people there, it is truly a special moment just to see all these people gathered here in the sake of wellness and community. It's just so amazing."

Soggy weather forced the cancellation of Sunday's Boogie Fest, as the field was too wet from previous rains, but participants were greeted by clear blue skies Sunday.

Race-day outfits ranged from the sporty to silly, such as a group of women dressed in purple shirts and tiaras who gave a royal wave as they walked across the finish line.

"Everybody's a story. There's 5,167 stories coming across that finish line," said Dale Brin, StarPhoenix publisher.

He stood at the finish line Sunday, cheering on each participant as they made their final lap around Griffiths Stadium.

"The finish line is always the best part for me," said Brin, adding the event is a chance to give back to the Saskatoon community.

"We're just delighted to have the opportunity to do something for community, raise some money for local charities and help people become a little more active and, hopefully, healthier," he said. "If we take little steps together we can all improve our health and hopefully live better and longer."

Miren Madariaga
Race Director